The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-22
A RAZ0R'S DEADLY WORK
TINY CHARLTON MURDERED ON
THE OGEECHEE ROAD

as a Peacemaker, Charlton was Bru.
tally Murdered-One of His Murder
ers Jailed While on Drunken Spree
Tiny Charlton, peaceably disposed me-
gro, living on the Ogeechee road, near the
three mile post of the Charleston and Sa-
vannah railroad, was brutally murdered at
his home yesterday morning, William
Taylor infiicting the fatal wound, while
Tom Green, Berry Cook and Jim Cook are
charged with being accessories.
AT this place there is a small settle
menl of colored people, most of
the men working on the adjacent planta-
tions. They seldom have trouble among
themselves, but the city negroes go out
there often, filled up with bad whisky, and
fights generally result. The murder arose
from such a case. A party of city negroes
went out to assist at a church festival, held
there Saturday night Bad whisky, and
bad characters are hard combination, and
the church party were soon in the minority
THE RUMPUs BEGINS.
A sort of free fight was started by
two of the women, ana clubs, knives and
razors were trumps. Tiny Charlton at
tempted to stop the fight, but got blow or
two for his pains. Finally the women were
separated, but the bad feeling aroused was
kept alive all the evening, Whisky was
plentiful and quarrels were numerous.
Finally when they brokA up Ia went out
on the road to go home, charlton was
knocked down by To Green, and
Berry Cook stabbed him in the throat with
a small pen-knife. Charlton's wife
had then just appeared on the
scene and attempted to rescue him and get
him safely home. He was then very weak
from the effects of the blow and the stab,
Cha hoe IN oil ba W
When about half way to his house he was
again assaulted by Jim Cook and William
Taylor.
RAzoRs DEADLY WORK.
Charlton's head was resting over on his
wifes shoulder, and Taylor, drawing a
keen razor, drew it from back of his
neck clear around till the blade struck
the iawbone, almost entirely severiug the
head from the body. She screamed for
help, and the men then ran off across the
fields Charlton was carried into the house,
but he died in very few minutes. Albert
jackson received a serious cut ON his left
arm from Taylor as the latter ran off, and
he came to the city to have it dressed. The
police then heard of the matter and an off
Ger was at once sent out there.
THE CoRoYERs INQUEST
Coroner Dixon at once drove out to the
scene of the tragedy and impaneled jury,
May Melrose, John Shigg, Nathan Hart,
Solomon Brown and Richard Ward. The
following is the testimony of the principal
witnesses:
John jackson, being duly sworn, said:
"The deceased is Tiny Charlton. Last night
a supper was given at Frazier Prices and
LunnOn Morrell's for the benefit of the
church. | went to the house about II
O'Clock. There were very few present then
They began coming later on, and by l
O'Clock there was a large crowd. Every
thing went on all right until about day
break, when left with my wife, and walked
down the road as far as Mr. Fountains
shop. was talking with him there when
] heard a fuss over at the supper house.
Both of us returned.
THE FEMALES HAVE sET-To
eWhen got there found Betsey Morrell
and Annie Williams fighting. Tiny Charl-
ton came up to make peace. He put Betsey
put of the house, and kept Williams inside
BetSey made quite fuss outside, wanting
them to put Annie out to finish the fight,
and she kept on swearing and cursing
After awhile she went off little distance,
and stood talking for half an hour. After
ward she returned TO the house, and
little later William Taylor began
a row with some of the men
in the yard. He had a stick, knocking
right and left; ali the men seemed to get
out OF the way He then walked to the gate
with two long sticks in his hand, followed
by John Jenkins, Berry Cook and Jim Cook
Jenkins is MS brother-in-law. They stood
In the road.
THE MURDERERS IN WATT.
About half an hour after the party in the
house broke up, and they all come up the
road, | being with them. When l came
put / heard Taylor say: Il just want
10 see the = - son - -
49, that hit JIM as he wanted
to give him one before he went to town. A
fuss then began, and l don't know who
were in it, as | started for home. Just as
reached Fountains shop Taylor came up
md grabbed me by the leg, and at the same
time cut me. He then started to run, and
p crowd followed him. Charlton was cut
before me. My wound is on my left arm in
the muscle, and is almost entirely around
the ARM
Emma Charlton, the murdered mans
wife testified as follows: II was at my house
hll night. IL is about POO yards, from the
supper house. / was walked up about
o'clock this morning by cries of
KILL HIM, KILL TINY CHARLTON
jumped up and went out to see what
was the matter, and to bring him home
When got there | met him in the road
coming home Just then, Tom Green ran
hp, and knocked him down with a stick.
lie fell in my arms. While holding him
Berry Cook came up and stuck him with
mall knife in the throat. | cried murder
but no one came to my assistance: the men
then all ran away. started on home, with
my husband leaning on me When got
by divers shop, Jim Cook came up and
said, there is the d SON -, kill him.
William Taylor then run up. My husband
had his head resting on my right shoulder.
Taylor drew a razor and cut him across the
heck. Then all the party broke into a run,
going across the fields. | brought Tiny
home, and he did not live more than ten
minutes
TAYLoRs BLooDTHIRsTY THREATS
George Williams was sworn and his tes-
timony corroborated that given. He also
laid Taylor had threatened to kill Charlton.
Charlton had done nothing, as far as he
law, save to try to prevent any rowing, or
tuss Taylor had a razor when he made the
threats.
Harry West and Frazier Price also testi-
led, but gave no new facts. All the teSti-
monY went to prove that the assault was
wholly unprovoked, and that the man was
deliberately and brutally murdered.
VERDICT OF MURDER.
The jury brought in verdict that "Tiny
Charlton came 20 his death by knife Tor
razor wound in the neck, inflicted by the
hands Of William Taylor, which we con-
kdar uurlar. and that Tom Eraan Rot,,y